Oklahoma City Thunder: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

4. Shawn Kemp (PF) — No. 17 pick in 1989 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Sonics):  625 GP, 16.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 52.1 FG%, 73.0 FT%

In the 1989 NBA Draft, the Sonics would select Shawn Kemp out of Trinity Valley Community College with the 17th overall pick in the first round.

He was a McDonald’s All-American in 1987-88 coming out of high school. He played at Kentucky before going to community college, but he could not pass the SATs so he was ruled ineligible. Reebok would later release a Kamikaze shoe that was in Kentucky colors that were called the “Letter of Intent.”

Kemp would play eight seasons with the Sonics. He finished his career averaging 14.6 points per game and scoring 15,437 points in total.

Kemp is the most athletic Sonic that the franchise has ever drafted. A player that rivals Kemp’s athleticism these days is Blake Griffin.

Gary Payton could always rely on Kemp to be on the receiving end of an alley-oop and both players were able to help the Sonics get to the Finals for the first time since 1979, though they eventually lost.

The Sonics made it to the playoffs seven straight times from 1991-97 during Kemp’s tenure.

From 1993-98m he made the All-Star game six times. He made the All-NBA Second Team three years in a row from 1993-96.

Nicknamed “Reign Man,” he was best known for his dunking ability. His ability to slam down thunderous jams made him one of the most exciting players to watch during the 90’s.

Kemp played power forward and center and would send the crowd in a frenzy with the dunks he was able to perform. He contributed many wins to the franchise and proved that he could win and entertain at the same time.